FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is a lot involved when it comes to driver’s education and obtaining a driver’s license. This section provides answers to common questions as well as not so common questions.

Driver’s Education Curriculum

The state of Massachusetts requires that a complete Drivers Education course consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of behind the wheel instruction and 6 hours of the student observing another student drive. In addition, if the student is under 18 years of age, their parent or guardian must complete a 2 hour Parent Class PRIOR to scheduling their behind the wheel lessons.

Is there a time limit in which I have to complete the driver’s education course?

Yes. The driver’s education course must be completed within 2 years of the student’s start date per the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles./div>

The total cost for the complete course when paid in full is $799.00. This is to be paid in full prior to starting driving school. Alternatively, a down payment of $399 in order to start classroom, with the balance of $480 to be paid in $40 increments, cash or check, at each on road lesson.

We need to make the most out of each hour of the day that we offer behind the wheel lessons. Therefore, we require 24 hours’ notice so that we have the opportunity to offer another student that hour. Once we lose the hour, we can’t get it back. We hope you understand. We know, on occasion, circumstances beyond control may result in a missed appointment or a short notice cancellation. In this event, our team does everything possible to fill the hour so we don’t have to charge a fee. The fee for a missed lesson is $45.
Classroom

You can start the classroom portion of driver’s education at 15 years 9 months.

No, you do not need your Learner’s Permit to start class. You can obtain your learner’s permit on your 16th birthday but you are able to start class at 15 years 9 months.

The only things that you will need to bring to class are an open mind and the willingness to learn! The homework that you will receive from Meadows Driving School is to get 40 hours of PRACTICE.

If you miss a class you will need to make up that exact number class during one of our next sessions. Each class is numbered #1-15. For example, if you miss class #10 you will have to make class #10 up during one of our upcoming class sessions. You can see what make up classes are available in your student account.
Permit/Driving

The state of Massachusetts allows individuals to apply for a Class D learners permit on their 16th birthday.

You must go to a full service Registry of Motor Vehicles branch, such as Southbridge or Springfield. You do need an appointment at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. You must have a Learner’s Permit Application, which is available on the RMV’s website or at the RMV branch, a certified copy of your birth certificate (one with a raised seal) or a passport and your social security card/number to prove legal identity. In addition, you must have something with your name and address dated within the last 60 days to prove lawful presence. Click here for a complete list of Acceptable Documents. The cost of a learner’s permit test is $30.00. You must pass an eye exam, so if you need glasses/contact lenses, don’t forget them! You will also have your photograph taken once you have passed the permit exam.

The RMV will issue you a Massachusetts learner’s permit. Make sure you review all of the information on your Learner’s Permit for accuracy. Make sure your name, address and date of birth are all accurate! The clerks at the RMV enter the information you provide on the Learner’s Permit Application, however, sometimes errors are made. Do not leave the RMV counter/clerk until you are sure your information is correct! If you are taking the learner’s permit online, you are responsible for printing out the document.

If you don’t pass your test, there is no waiting period for another try. You can get right back in line and test again. However, the RMV charges $30.00 for each test. Make sure you’ve studied and are prepared.

You can drive with anyone that is at least 21 years of age AND has had their license for a year or more.

You must replace your learner’s permit if you lose it, it becomes damaged, or illegible. There will be a fee of $15.00 for a duplicate learner’s permit. Please note the learner’s permit may not be altered, photocopied, laminated or taped! This will result in a rejected road test!

We generally start driving lessons after someone has completed the classroom portion of driver’s education.  The student is also required to have a valid Massachusetts Learners Permit and the parent class needs to be completed PRIOR to scheduling lessons.

In Massachusetts any parent that has a student under the age of 18 has to complete a parent class before the student can start behind the wheel instruction. The parent class is good for 5 years (Example: If the parent attended a parent class on June 15th, 2014 the class will be good until June 15th, 2019) The parent would not have to re-attend a parent class if their student finishes before June 15th, 2019. The parent class consists of topics such as but are not limited to: an overview of the driver’s education process (including requirements and curriculum); permit information; helpful tips to help prepare students for the roadway; an overview of Junior Operator Laws and their penalties; distractions while driving; insurance information; road test information including sponsorship options; a question and answer session as well as other topics related to the driver’s education experience.

If the student is under the age of 18 and a parent hasn’t already attended a Parent Class within the past 5 years, then yes. If a student is Over the age of 18 a parent Does Not have to attend a Parent Class.

Students can enroll their parent through the student portal or may contact us for assistance in enrollment.

Yes, the fee is $25. This fee is separate from our course fee because it is valid for 5 years as we have many returning families who have completed the parent class, therefore, we do not incorporate it into our course fee.

You will not receive a physical copy of your Driver’s Education Certificate. Once a student has completed all of the components of the Driver’s education curriculum, we submit this information to the RMV and the RMV enters your DEC electronically into their database.Once the RMV receives and enters your information into their database you will be allowed to book a test. Your insurance company will cross reference with the RMV to make sure that you have a valid Driver’s Education Certificate once you are a licensed driver.
Road Test & License

You must have a valid learner’s permit for 6 consecutive months, without incident, and you must complete a driver’s education course. Once you’ve completed the driver’s education course we will need to submit your driver’s education certificate (DEC). Once the Registry of Motor Vehicles has entered your DEC a road test can be scheduled. If you are 18 years old or older, you may book a test at any time.

Please contact your location you are assigned to for road test options.

You cannot have two appointments for a road test booked at the same time. The RMV would cut you from our Saturday/Sunday road test list because they do not have the authority to cancel your weekday branch appointment.

The RMV requires a 2 week waiting period before another road test appointment can be booked. The RMV allows an individual to take the Road Test Exam six (6) times within a given calendar year.

If a student has already prepaid their license fee ($50) and road test fee ($35). Once a student passes the road test exam on a Saturday/Sunday, the State Examiner validates your learner’s permit making it a temporary Massachusetts driver’s license and grades your test results the RMV will generate and mail your permanent license directly to the address on your road test application!
If a student has not prepaid their license fee ($50) and road test fee ($35):
Once a student passes the road test exam on a Saturday/Sunday, the State Examiner signs the back of the learner’s permit stating that the student has passed the Massachusetts driver’s license exam. The student will then need to pay their outstanding balance before the RMV will generate their temporary license, which allows them to drive before they receive their permanent license in the mail.

On the day of your road test you will need your permit and a completed Class D or M Road Test Application. A parent/guardian will need to complete and sign their portion of the application as well. If a student is Over the age of 18 they do not need a parent’s signature.

A sponsor is a licensed driver that is over 21 years of age and has had a license for a year or more that sits in the back seat for the duration of the road test, if you are taking the road test at the RMV. If the student is testing through Meadows Driving School we are required to be the sponsor.